The History and Development of the Repeatable Release Catapult Holdback Bar

A holdback and release device is generally used to restrain an aircraft prior to catapulting. For many years release was effected by rupture of a replaceable, frangible link in the release device. While this system is conceptually simple, it has many operational and logistic drawbacks.

This paper describes the history and successful development of a reuseable, or repeatable release catapult holdback system as presently used on the F-14, F-18 and T-45.